Israeli President Urges Stable Government to Avoid New Elections

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has called for the formation of a stable government to prevent the need for repeat elections, following a highly contested vote. Herzog's remarks came after the counting of approximately 85% of the ballots, as reported by Channel 12. He emphasized the importance of avoiding new elections, noting the unprecedentedly high voter turnout as a testament to Israeli society. The official results of the 26th Knesset elections will be presented to President Herzog by the Chairman of the Central Election Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, next week. Following this, Herzog will consult with all parties that have entered the Knesset to gauge their positions and decide whom to task with forming the next government. The mandate to form a government is expected to be given to a candidate about a week after these consultations conclude.

While preliminary results indicate an advantage for Benjamin Netanyahu's political bloc, foreign media outlets are noting that the final outcome and the formation of a new government remain uncertain. The distribution of seats in parliament does not automatically determine who will become prime minister; securing a parliamentary majority is the decisive factor in forming a government.